Information about Ilminster

Ilminster is a quiet country market town set in the countryside of Somerset. Ilminster takes its name from the River Isle and its large church of St Mary, which is known as The Minster. Since the beginning of the 18th century the town became a gathering place for travellers. By this period Ilminster was a flourishing community and was granted the right to hold a weekly market, which it still does.

Ilminster has a selection of shops ranging from both local and national including a range of specialist shops where you can find an endless range of accessories. These include a traditional Edwardian-style clothing and soft furnishings store called Dyers. A Tesco store opened in November 2007.

The town contains the buildings of a sixteenth-century Grammar school, the Ilminster Meeting House, which acts as the town's art gallery and concert hall. There is also a Gospel Hall. Ilminster also has a number of tourist attractions such as East Lambrook Manor Gardens and Horn Park Gardens.

In November the town celebrates the lighting of the Christmas lights with a Victorian evening. This is normally accompanied by lots of local shops serving rum and cakes.

Photographs of Ilminster